Harvard South Africa Fellowship Programme (deadlines vary)

President Derek Bok established the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program (HSAFP) in 1979 to address the needs of South Africans who were denied access to advanced education by the apartheid system. This program was established, and is still intended, for mid-career professionals educationally disadvantaged by past laws and resource allocations in South Africa. Under the current presidency of Drew Gilpin Faust, the HSAFP seeks to expand its reach to institutions and organizations across South Africa in a continued effort to draw the broadest possible range of candidates for the program. In addition, the University – reflecting the current South African constitution – has expanded its applicant pool to extend to all South Africans, regardless of ethnicity or race.

Fellows are selected because they have shown considerable skill in their chosen fields, and are expected to benefit from advanced training.  Fellowships are for a year of study in one of Harvard’s Professional Schools or Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, with tuition waivers provided by the School once fellows are admitted.  General administrative funds for program management, stipends, and airfare for the fellow are provided by the Office of the President, and administered by the Center for African Studies, under the directorship of Professor John Mugane. Since the inception of the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program, the Center for African Studies has awarded over 200 fellowships.

Our definition of ‘mid-career professional’ is an open one. We will evaluate candidates based on their credentials and if an applicant already has a masters or PhD degree this does not disqualify them from receiving the fellowship.

Eligible courses for this Fellowship include the Harvard School of Public Health Master of Public Health course and the Harvard Business School Program for Leadership Development.